honorable mention
Xi Chen united states
title
Inside Out
My choice of buildings was based on three factors: the importance of the building in architectural history; the role that the building plays in the city at present; and the suitability of the building to combining and presenting both its interior and exterior in a meaningful and understandable way. These two perspectives were merged with meticulous photographic compositing techniques, but the idea was inspired by the way architectural drawings use what is called perspective section to represent both exterior and interior. This combined view allows architects to capture the three-dimensional space within a two-dimensional drawing. The idea is not to address precisely all the spaces and structures of a building in a literal way, but rather to create an artistic interpretation that reflects my personal impression of the building and the city surrounding it.
While architecture’s exteriors shape a city’s urban landscape, its interiors reflect its residents’ lives. In using this approach, Inside Out aims to give viewers a unique humanistic perspective on New York City’s historical and contemporary landmarks.
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entry description
Few places are as comfortable with architectural variety as New York, a city that boasts one of the liveliest mixtures of buildings in the world. Many of these structures are marquee examples of their eras’ style. As a trained architect, I’m inspired by the ways in which museums, transportation stations, skyscrapers, and their associated built spaces shape the city and its residents’ lives. For this reason, the photographs in Inside Out combine both the exteriors and sections of the interiors of important New York City buildings in a single image.My choice of buildings was based on three factors: the importance of the building in architectural history; the role that the building plays in the city at present; and the suitability of the building to combining and presenting both its interior and exterior in a meaningful and understandable way. These two perspectives were merged with meticulous photographic compositing techniques, but the idea was inspired by the way architectural drawings use what is called perspective section to represent both exterior and interior. This combined view allows architects to capture the three-dimensional space within a two-dimensional drawing. The idea is not to address precisely all the spaces and structures of a building in a literal way, but rather to create an artistic interpretation that reflects my personal impression of the building and the city surrounding it.
While architecture’s exteriors shape a city’s urban landscape, its interiors reflect its residents’ lives. In using this approach, Inside Out aims to give viewers a unique humanistic perspective on New York City’s historical and contemporary landmarks.
about the photographer
Based in New York, Xi Chen specializes in architectural photography and videography. He recently earned his Master's in Digital Photography from New York's prestigious School of Visual Arts, receiving the Paula Rhodes Memorial Award for Exceptional Achievement in Digital Photography for his work. Chen’s photography and videography have been included in exhibitions at New York’s Photoville Festival and the Venice Biennale of Architecture. His professional background in both architecture and photography allows him to bring a unique and humanistic perspective to his images of the built environment.back to gallery